Friday, November 7, 2014

Prepping for Sesenta Anos

Well after the radial fracture in April, nearly 6 months off, then a mild mishap with a hoof through the fence about 3 weeks ago - about the residual swelling from that the vet says - if he's sound the more work the better, so that is what we are doing. And Ozzie is in good form.

Went on a fabulous ride yesterday, for a good sweat out, and right at the start of our ride saw a gorgeous young bobcat sprint across the trail maybe about 50 feet in front of us, and go hide up a tree. We approached slowly and were able to see the amazing creature hanging out up in the tree, looking down at us. We said a little thanks for letting us see him, and off we went.

At first Ozzie was a bit sluggish, but part way in he seemed to remember his job. That he can drop manure while trotting, walk at a proper pace, and deal with his itchy face.

We are a go folks, looking good. He gets just turn out today after our ride yesterday, oh and a little spa day, of clipping his neck and belly.

See you next weekend out on the trail. Cheers.
After our great ride yesterday, after his wet, mash bucket and after a roll and a bath. 

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Hitting the trail

So we have been cleared to ride at the walk now for 30 days.
It has been fabulous, and while at first I thought Ozzie would be a bit feisty on the trail after five months off, he has been such a good boy. We've been doing one hour walks out on the trail, mostly flat. In the past week adding gradual hills.

And today we are trotting. Just in the arena to start. Here's the video:


He's a tad fuzzy with his winter coat, I think he's preparing for a Canadian winter. And he's got a few extra pounds on his belly. But here we go folks, we are back in business. Now to our one hour walks we will add a bit of trotting, just a bit to begin with. And just keep building, and adding.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Almost there & the Slow Feed Net


Oh my stars.

Just a few weeks away to when I think we can start working and riding again.
September 7 is the date. Need to get clearance from final x-ray, then we are off.

The video above is from this week, just one of our hot walks. But as you can see, he is ready to rock and roll.

We've ironed out the slow feed net (see below) and added a salt rock on a rope to one end of his stall for a sort of boredom killer.

After an all clear x-ray I plan on a week or so of round pen work, trotting a bit, building up, with and without the saddle on. I expect him to have a bit of spit in him. He'll be feeling good. I wanna do some ponying and so on.

Honestly, I'm a tad nervous about the first ride. It will have been five months that he's not been ridden. He's got a great mind, and is not a wacky horse at all, but I'm just building up some questions in my mind. Yes, we will do some arena riding first, but both of us are chomping at the bit to get out on the trail.

The slow feed net: So I should I have done this way earlier. BUT am glad I did it now, especially after we cut back his feed cause of the belly he is developing. So the fabulous manager where we board let me rig up a slow feed net in his stall. I'm not able to get out there every morning and evening before feeding time to bag the hay, so I found this solution online, and it's ok with the guy who throw the feed. It's easy, and doesn't make more work for them. You can see in the one photo I tied half of the net to a pipe on the top, and the rest of the net to the bottom pipe, that creates an opening for the guys to stuff the hay in.
Click any of the photos to see them larger.


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Just out on our walks, going farther and farther, only limited by how far I can walk in the heat.


Friday, August 15, 2014

A Taste of Tevis : A Newbies First Tevis

So this was my first time at Tevis. For those of you who don't know what that is, it is the Tevis Cup or the Westeran States Trail Foundation 100 mile ride. Horse and rider teams traverse challenging trails in the High Sierras, from a spot near Squaw Vally to the town of Auburn. They must finish in 24 hours. The ride is always set during a full moon because the riders ride at night. The ride starts at 5:15 a.m. The front runners generally finish around 9:30 p.m., while the majority of riders finish between the hours of 2:30 to 5:00 a.m.

I went up to crew for a fabulous team, and while things did not go as  planned for our team, it is a blessing horse and rider made it safely back. So while I did not get the full crewing experience, I got the full spectator experience.

I left my home in southern California at 5 a.m. on Friday. And made it to Robie Park - the start - at about 2:30 in the afternoon. Driving in I could not believe the gorgeous forest. One of the draws for me to endurance riding is the incredible places I get to go. Robie Park is an equestrian park, about 10 or so miles from the highway. You have to drive on a partly dirt road and in my Honda Accord I took it slow and enjoyed the scenery. When ever I wondered if I missed a turn, I would spot a yellow Tevis sign, and then when I saw a couple riders out for their pre-ride to the start I knew I was in the right spot.

The camp was busy on Friday. Folks riding, hand walking and tending to their horses. Riders came from thirteen countries, and from all over the U.S. My rider has a couple buckles (from completing Tevis) so they have their routine down, and my goal is just to ease the work load, remember some of the details. We have a gorgeous dinner, attend the crew meeting, the riders meeting, and then hit the hay early. I slept in the back cab of the truck, with the window open so I could see the full moon and stars. It was a lovely night.

Up at about 3:30. The camp comes alive. The sound of horses walking through the woods. Stretching their legs, preparing for the long ride. We get up, have a lovely cup of coffee, and tack up. We put the cold electrolyte drinks in the saddle for the rider. Make sure everything is squared away, and they are off. Pretty low key, just heading off into the darkness and down the road a bit to the official start.

Everyone else waits a bit, we are not allowed to start our engines until 5:30. You see, all the crews, rigs and spectators now will be bustling to make an hour and a half drive to end up at the first vet check in Robinson Flat. But for those with rigs, they need to drop them off at Forest Hill. Ok, so we are on the road. I'm in my Honda, and Crew Chief Juan is behind me in the rig. We jostle for position on the highway with other rigs - one driving way too fast and I see the trailer fish tail behind me. Once we settle in and let the speed demons pass us I get a call from Juan. He just got a call from Nina, she can't find Cheeky. This is an alarming call on any ride, but in the Tevis, with thousands if not millions of acres of wilderness, a lost horse can set a rider into a panic. So we knew she came off, we knew that she couldn't find Cheeky. We did not know if she was hurt, or if the horse was hurt. We just had to stick to the plan, We headed to Forest Hill, dropped off the rig and jumped into my Honda (which we packed the night before with all the crew supplies) for the drive out to Robinson Flat. When we arrived we were told that our rider, #53 had found her horse, and they were on their way via trailer to Forest Hiill. Whew, Cheeky was ok. Nina was ok. They were reunited. But their Tevis ride was done for this year.

We made our way back to Forest Hill, had a bit of breakfast, and more coffee. And waited for the horse transport trailer to arrive. They arrived, and Cheeky just had a few superficial scraps. I heard the full story, which is not mine to tell here. But wow. Things can just turn on a dime. Horse and rider were very lucky to be fine. They decided to head home.

So there I was. Alone at Forest Hill. I had some friends who were volunteers at Robinson who would meet up with me later, and my fabulous farrier Ed who would soon be to Forest Hill. But I took my cooler full of ice for the horses, one beer and picked a spot on Bath Road to watch the horses come in. I gave away the ice - since Cheeky wasn't going to be needing it and settled in.

Here is my photo journal from the next 24 hours - (click on any photo to see them larger)
all photos c. K. Rivers 2014. If you want to use one, just let me know in the comments here).

Mt. Watson Road, heading into Robie Park

Must be on the right road



Cheeky all ready the night before. 


a great dinner, in a gorgeous spot

Sunset at Robie Park the night before Tevis


Cheeky after his adventure back at Forest Hill. 

To the vet check at Forest Hill


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the crews line up along the road to wait for their team. The tack is taken off and the horse is cooled.


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a future endurance rider ? 






Barbara White at Forest Hill. She completed her 30th Tevis.





This may have been my favorite part. THis is Overlook. The timed finish. 
I got to watch horses cross no hands bridge by moon light, and watch these horses finish at Overlook. Had a great dinner with Ed, who showed me where the fair ground showers were. I then basically crashed in my car till 8:00 am. I did hear the announcer bringing in Barbara White at 2:42. I snapped a photo of friends sleeping in the bleachers to watch all the riders come in.

In the morning I walked the barns. The resting horses, and also the treatment barn. Some horses need some support in their recovery and there is extensive vet care available on site. One woman who I had met at Robie Park was with her horse, needing some IV Fluids. I saw a sleep deprived horse having REM sleep, running in his sleep. And the cute Appy who didn't have a stall but made herself perfectly comfortable on some shavings next to the barn.


One stall set up with fabulous cot, where the rider slept to monitor their horse after the ride.




Heather Reynolds, the Tevis Winner showing her horse for the Haggins Cup, the Tevis Best Condition award.
The top ten horses are eligible to show for this prestigious award. This year, a 15 year old won the award - Barrak Blakely, who has been doing endurance for 10 years (you do the math) who placed 7th overall.





Photographer Lynn Glazer

Dedicated Spectators

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Enduring the Lay Up

So, short story is 60 more days (maybe longer)

The vet came out for an X-ray yesterday - just a week shy of 90 days rest after Ozzie's kick the friday night before Lost Padres and while he commented on the great healing, and "good bone" being laid down (I actually saw it too, and since I've had a lot of time to read about this I knew what he was talking about) we actually saw something that wasn't visible in the early X-ray (just about 72 hours after the injury).

We saw what appears to be a spot that IS healing well, but it is a little horizontal fracture. So back in March the first x-ray clearly showed a vertical line, creating a sort of "bullet" shape of bone that had separated. That is no longer visible, and you can see all the bone cells grouping in that area, and above and below it, laying down layers of new bone - strong bone. But we also see a grouping of cells along a short horizontal line - that was not visible in the first set of images. The vet told me that when x-rays are taken shortly after an injury the bone cells damaged have not died off yet. It's the dead bone cells that will reveal where other fractures are, that are not showing on the early x-rays. He believes there was a small, horizontal fracture that IF we took the time (and money) to take many photos at many angles we would eventually catch the right angle to see the line.

So the vet likes what he sees in terms of healing. We are doing the right thing. But at least 60 more days of small stall, hand walking only. And we are cutting back his feed. I of course took him off all supplements, beet pulp etc since the injury, but he's put on some weight and he's getting calories far exceeding his energy output. So we're cutting it in half. Oh he did not like me carrying away that second flake at dinnertime.

Ozzie is also acting as a case study for a friend who is learning about flower essences. Ok all you horsefolk, before you roll your eyes at the kooky Californian, think about all the old tales of remedies from back in the day. It can do no harm, and hey if it helps calm him a bit (one of the essences he's getting helps improve patience) I'll take it. So he gets a couple of spritzes over the muzzle when I take him out of the stall and just before I put him back. He already seems to enjoy the refreshing spritz (I'm told the substances are created in high quality brandy, hummmm)

I'm also going aggressively after the splint that has lingered for nearly 60 days. I'm applying the gnarly steroid cream twice a day, and using an ice boot twice a day. For two weeks. Sounds easy enough, but Ozzie doesn't live at my house, and negotiating with my dear hubby for two trips out to the ranch every day for two weeks will be a feat of endurance in itself.

Building a bit of a belly, we've opted to cut back his hay a bit. 
On the flip side I am learning a ton. Chalking all of this up to a learning experience, bone growth, reading x-rays, helping a horse cope with confinement, patience (I'm taking some flower essences as well - nearly the same potion as Ozzie), splints and hand walking an energetic horse who wants to get back to exploring the canyons. It also gives me time to dial in a few things - change the pads on my stirrups, track down the longer cinch straps for the center fire rigging, and I'm happy I found a $25 clip on headstall that matches the used breast collar (Thanks again Laura!) that was handed down to me.

Oh and his feet - I'm pulling his shoes next week. Before all my barefoot friends get all excited I'm just giving them a chance to develop some callus, let the hoof stretch out a bit. No, I'm not having him go barefoot. I'm one of those folks that dreads dealing with boots at a ride (maybe one day in the future) but shoes with the BEST farrier ever!!! were working great for Ozzie. But during this layup a breather from shoes for his feet just makes sense.

So we're back to one day at a time, and the vet suggested the LONGEST walks possible - hard during the summer time when my 8, almost 9 year old son is out of school - and eyeing the NATRC ride in October with Vicky, and then the Sesenta Anos ride in November as still doable. Gotta have a goal to look forward to.

Just you wait, we are gonna be the HAPPIEST team on the trail!

Sunday, June 29, 2014

71 Days

So just after Ozzie got kicked, and we knew we would have at least 90 days off many well meaning people told me "The first 30 days will be the toughest."

Well they were full of it. Well meaning, but not correct.

The final 30 days are the worst.

Ozzie looks amazing and feels even better. He is ready.

Last week I felt a little down - frustrated that he can't be let out to gallop around - he was getting testy too and I was worried that he would need some "re-training." He was moving around a lot at the tie rail during grooming, not standing. Urgh. But yesterday he was fabulous. So it's the ebb and flow right, he's going through this too.

We have our xray scheduled for July 9 - and it will tell us if 90 days (July 17) will be enough time off, or if we need more time. I'm hoping that the xray looks fabulous and I get clearance for Ozzie to live in the big paddock, and we can start working out of the spit and fire that's built up.

So last Wednesday we went for a nice hand walk with friends up the road to the cow barn. He was a really good boy, enjoying the jaunt out. Cruised right through the muddy creek ready to keep going.

Yesterday we were out for a short walk and some other horses got turned out in a pasture next to us. They were galloping around, and toward us on the trail. Ozzie threw up his head, stuck his tail straight up, so it flew over onto his back - I think I laughed out loud. And snorted so loud, I think his whole throat vibrated. He wanted to run with those horses so bad. He still kinda listened to me, and I got him doing a few circles to occupy his mind a little...

So we are really in the home stretch - although I'm keeping open in my mind the possibility that we may need more time off (even though my gut says we are good to go).

I'm looking forward to the videos I'll get the first day in the round pen and the first time he's turned out in the big paddock. Oh Boy... it'll be fun to watch.

Here's a snapshot from yesterday, after his snorting.


Monday, June 16, 2014

Chomping at the bit



 So tomorrow is 60 days since Ozzie was hurt. And he’s been such a good boy, until now. On our walks he’s getting a bit full of himself, as our ranch manager likes to say. He pushes around in front of me when we walk past the barn, and he’s just not responding to me very well. When I enter his stall, he is eager to leave it. That’s great right? But he stands right at the stall gate, and I have to put my hand up, and stomp my feet quite emphatically to get him to back up at all. Most times I actually have to push him back. Not ideal.

Ozzie looking good at 58 days post injury. He's ready to go and is making his boredom known. 
And on Saturday he bit me. I was scratching his ear and he reached over and nipped the nice fleshy part of the inside of my arm. It did not break the skin, BUT it sure did hurt, and I’ve got a nice little round dark bruise. Later, I was taking the currycomb down his shoulder and he came around to bite again, and how ever I reacted spooked him, and we had a minor pull back reaction. Just a moment or two. He settled down quickly.

I need to change it up. We are in the home stretch and when we get the clearance to add some trotting, lunging and are clear for me to get on his back, I don’t want our relationship to have gone to pot. And I need to keep doing the things with him that I don’t want him to get rusty on.

So today, I’m giving him the psyllium bucket first (just doing this as an annual “treatment” to help move out any sand), instead of after our walk. And instead of just walking around the ranch, we are going to walk in the arena over poles, work on backing up away from me, and some other groundwork at the walk. Tomorrow, I think I’ll put his saddle on, and maybe leave it on for the groundwork.

He sure looks great, the leg is doing well and he takes any opportunity to trot a few steps. I’d love to hear about any groundwork tasks that are good to do at the walk, to keep reinforcing good practice between Ozzie and me.

July 17 will be a full 90 days. The countdown begins. 

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Keep Walking and Carry On



So our vet, the fabulous Dr. Liskey was out on Thursday. Marking 41 days since the injury. That is basically 41 days of stall rest. Minimal walking. In the past few days, since we hit 30 days, I’ve been doing one-hour walks with him around the barns. Flat, stopping for a drink of water, but just walking around.

Just a little video from Friday of Ozzie after our walk. He is waiting for his little bucket of pulp, probiotics and a few carrots. 




So I had asked Dr. Liskey to come out for an x-ray. He came out, had me walk out Ozzie for him, turn in both directions. No soreness, or any favoring in any way. He liked what he saw and basically said that he’d do an x-ray, and take my money if that is what I really want, BUT he thinks things are going really well and even if the x-ray confirmed that he would not recommend doing anything different. I still wouldn’t get clearance for any turn out, or any thing other than hand walking. No clearance yet for Ozzie to move back to the big paddock. He said one hour walks are great, and we chatted about heading OUT into the ranch, up the canyon (flat) and Dr. Liskey asked how he is walking, “How’s his mind?” Ozzie’s got a great mind, and is very calm and mostly quiet during our walks. Dr. Liskey just emphasized we don’t want him to get away from me out on the ranch.

Ozzie has settled into the recovery routine very well. I did not find we needed to tranquilize him.

So I opted not to get an x-ray right now. But Dr. Liskey will be out around 60 days. He did say that 90 days off might be the “minimum.” He said that while at 60 days we may see it healing very well, he might say 120 days off. I said whatever is needed for his leg to be back to its full strength and integrity.



And after Dr. Liskey’s visit Ozzie got a full bath, and then I took him in to the big round pen, with nice sand.  I know Ozzie has been rolling in his stall, and I thought he would enjoy a roll in the nice sand, ON THE LEAD. It took him oh, about 3 minutes to figure out that I was going to let him roll while I had him on the lead line. He rolled, and rolled, wiggling in the sand, and laid there for a moment grunting. We went into one of the grass paddocks for a little grazing on the lead.

So as the days of summer continue to heat up, I’ve ditched my ranch jeans for ranch shorts. And we will carry on with our walking routine letting the bone cells multiply, connect, rebuild and strengthen. 

Ozzie and his new mustang neighbor.